Letter from your LAR Teacher: Happy Holidays!

Dear Xavier and Trinity, 

 As we continue this Epiphany season, I would like to wish you not only a merry Christmas, but also a Happy Kwanzaa! Every year, after celebrating Christmas day, my family comes together to observe the Nguza Saba, or seven principles of Kwanzaa. These principles are all about unity, hard work, creativity, and faith. For my family, Kwanzaa is a time where we remember the struggles of our progenitors, as well as contemplate  ways that we can improve ourselves and our community. This ties in perfectly with the season of the Epiphany as we await for the revealed Christ. 

How do you celebrate the holidays? Share as a comment OR on your blogs!! 

Kwanzaa is an celebrated by people of African descent throughout the world for seven days from December 26th through January 1st. 

The word Kwanzaa is Swahili for "the first fruits" of the harvest.

It is rooted in the ancient celebrations of the harvest held throughout the continent of Africa - North, South, East and West.

 Dr. Maulana Karenga formulated and celebrated the first African American Kwanzaa in 1966

The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa are at the hear  of this celebration and are symbolized by the seven candles of the Kinara and embodied in Swahili words

 for each principle: 

1) Umoja for Unity

 2) Kuchichagulia for Self Determination

3) Ujima for Work and Responsibility

4) Ujamaa for Collective Economics, 

5) Nia for Purpose

6) Kuumba for Creativity

7) Imani for Faith

A candle is lit each night for the principle of that day, and added to the candles lit for the previous nights.  

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!